DENVER – The fractionated picosecond Nd:YAG laser and fractionated thulium fiber laser can be equally effective for facial rejuvenation, results from a small split-face trial showed. However, the fractionated picosecond Nd:YAG laser may result in significantly less postoperative downtime, compared with the fractionated thulium fiber laser.
Dr. Douglas C. Wu
The findings from the prospective, evaluator-blinded trial were presented by Douglas C. Wu, MD, PhD, at the annual conference of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery. Dr. Wu, of San Diego–based Cosmetic Laser Dermatology, and his colleague, Mitchel P. Goldman, MD, enrolled 20 subjects with at least moderate photoaging who randomly received three treatments with either the 1064/532-nm fractionated picosecond Nd:YAG laser or with the 1927-nm fractionated thulium fiber laser on each side of the face, 4 weeks apart. The primary endpoint was the degree of rhytids, laxity, dyschromia, erythema-telangiectasia, keratoses, and texture rated on a four-point scale and performed by a blinded evaluator at baseline, and 12, 20, and 30 weeks from baseline. Secondary endpoints were the global aesthetic improvement score, investigator satisfaction questionnaire, and a subject satisfaction questionnaire administered at weeks 12, 20, and 30. Recovery time and adverse events were assessed through a 14-day subject diary administered after each treatment.
All but 1 of the 20 patients were female and their mean age was 57 years. Six had Fitzpatrick skin type II, seven had type III, six had type IV, and one had type V. The device settings were on medium for both devices. The researchers observed significant improvements in elastosis, erythema, dyschromia, and texture at all treatment follow-up time points (P less than .01 for all endpoints).
There were no differences between the two lasers in terms of efficacy. “Clinically, the efficacy was rated to be the same,” Dr. Wu said. “However, when we analyzed the patient diaries, we found some very interesting results. In terms of redness, at days 3 and 4, there was a consistently increased amount of redness on the side treated with the fractionated thulium fiber laser, with swelling also being significantly increased at day 5.” Similarly, he said, the side treated with the fractionated picosecond laser experienced significantly less crusting on posttreatment days 1 through 9, less peeling on days 3 through 5, and less itching on day 4. Posttreatment pain was minimal on both sides and did not differ significantly.
Dr. Wu disclosed having numerous financial ties to pharmaceutical and device companies.